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A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Name: A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.

:1517p. 120¶5

5. The exercise of daily and constant prayer: a spirit of prayer, Joel 2.32.

5. The exercise of daily and constant prayer: a spirit of prayer, Ioel 2.32.

:1518p. 120¶6

6. Teachableness, or willingness to be ruled by the word in all things, which may be gathered by the contrary, Jer. 7.27.

6. Teachablenesse, or willingnesse to be ruled by the word in all things, which may be gathered by the contrary, Ier. 7.27.

:1519p. 120¶7

7. The called of the Lord are such, as Isay 44.5.

:1520p. 120¶8

8. The unfeigned hatred of Popery, and kingdom of Antichrist: this is made a sign in these last ages, Revel. 17.14. This is so fair a sign, that it is found in all the chosen of God.

8. The unfained hatred of Popery, and kingdome of Antichrist: this is made a signe in these last ages, Revel. 17.14. This is so faire a signe, that it is found in all the chosen of God.

:1521p. 120–121§5

Now for the fifth thing, we must know, that this calling or choice doth ⟨p. 121⟩not come from any preceding merits of ours, but from the only admirable free grace of God, as it appears, 2 Tim. 1.9. Rom. 9.12.

Now for the fift thing, wee must know, that this calling or choise doth ⟨p. 121⟩not come from any preceding merits of ours, but from the onely admirable free grace of God, as it appeares, 2 Tim. 1.9. Rom. 9.12.

:1522p. 121§5

Sixthly, Gods wonderful mercy in calling us doth appear by the consideration §6of the things unto which we are called. We are called,¹

Sixtly, Gods wonderfull mercy in calling us doth appeare by the consideration §6of the things unto which we are called. We are called,¹

1What we are called to.

:1523p. 121§6

1. To his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. 2. To the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1.9. 3. To liberty, and a wonderful free estate from the servitude of sin, Satan, the world, the ceremonies of Moses, &c. Gal. 5.13. 4. To the grace of Christ, Gal. 1.6. even to a holiness better then that in Adam, Rom. 1.7. 5. To an estate of immunity and free pardon, Rom. 5.31. 6. To all safety, Isaiah 41.1, 2, 3. Rom. 8.28. 7. To the glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ, 2 Thes. 2.14. 1 Thes. 2.12. 2 Pet. 1.3. and 1 Pet. 5.10.

1. To his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. 2. To the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1.9. 3. To liberty, and a wonderfull free estate from the servitude of sinne, Satan, the world, the ceremonies of Moses, &c. Gal. 5.13. 4. To the grace of Christ, Gal. 1.6. even to a holinesse better then that in Adam, Rom. 1.7. 5. To an estate of immunity and free pardon, Rom. 5.31. 6. To all safety, Esay 41.1, 2,

:1524p. 121§6

The consideration of this wonderful grace of God in calling us, may imply the misery of such as have not embraced Gods calling,§7 as it is set out,¹ Prov. 1. Luke 14. with Mat. 22. Isaiah 50.2. & 61.4. Jer. 7.13, 14, 15 . & 35.17. Let such then as have the means, and are somewhat touched look to it seriously, that they turn to God with their whole hearts, lest, as Mat. 20.16.

The consideration of this wonderfull grace of God in calling us, may imply the misery of such as have not imbraced Gods calling,§7 as it is set out,¹ Prov. 1. Luke 14. with Mat. 22. Esay 50.2. & 61.4. Ier. 7.13, 14, 15 . & 35.17. Let such then as have the meanes, and are somewhat touched looke to it seriously, that they turne to God with their whole hearts, lest, as Mat. 20.16.

1Use.Vse.

:1525p. 121¶2

2. It should inflame every one of us to make our calling sure, 2 Pet. 1.10.

2. It should enflame every one of us to make our calling sure, 2 Pet. 1.10.

:1526p. 121¶3

3. We should stir up our selves to live as may become the called of God, as these Scriptures show, 1 Pet. 2.9. &c. 3.9. 2 Tim. 6.11, 12. 1 Thes. 2.•2. Eph. 4.1, 4. Gal. 5.13. as also the use of this consideration in this text shows.

3. We should stir up our selves to live as may become the called of God, as these Scriptures shew, 1 Pet. 2.9. &c. 3.9. 2 Tim. 6.11, 12. 1 Thes. 2.•2. Eph. 4.1, 4. Gal. 5.13. as also the use of this consideration in this text shews.

:1527p. 121§7

Lastly, considering our daily trespasses, let us still go to God as to a Father, and cry with humility, we are no more worthy to be called thy sons, &c.

Lastly, considering our daily trespasses, let us still goe to God as to a Father, and cry with humility, we are no more worthy to be called thy sons, &c.

:1528p. 121§7

Thus of the first point, or what, viz. calling. The second is, who calleth u•: It is here said, He, that is, God. We must understand, that our calling is the work of the whole Trinity: for it is given to the Father, Gal. 1.6. to the Son, Rom. 1 2. 1 Pet. 5. 10. to the holy Ghost, 1 Joh. 2.7. so that this He, is the G•d of all grace, the whole Trinity. There is a rule among Divines, that the works of God which are without are undivided. The are two sorts of works […] God, inward a•d outward: The inward are proper to each person, as to beget proper to the Father, to proceed to the holy Ghost, &c. Now the outward works, such as decrees before time, and Creation, Providence, Calling, &c. in time, are common to all three persons; not that every particular a•t is the act of all three persons, for that cannot be true; for only the Son was incarnate: But the meaning is, that in the general work, each worketh in his own order and nature: as in Redemption, the Father worketh by willing and sending: the Son by assuming our nature, and suffering, &c. the holy Ghost by applying and confirming. Now calling is one of the work• in common.

Thus of the first point, or what, viz. calling. The second is, who calleth u•: It is here said, He, that is, God. We must understand, that our calling is the work of the whole Trinitie: for it is given to the Father, Gal. 1.6. to the Sonne, Rom. 1 2. 1 Pet. 5. 10. to the holy Ghost, 1 Ioh. 2.7

:1529p. 121§7

The consideration of this, that it is God that calleth us, may 1. Comfort us in the assurance of his faithfulness,¹ he calls us that is unchangeable, 1 Thes. 5.24. 1 Cor. 1.8, 9. 2. It should bind us the stronger to the care of a life answerable to his greatness that hath called us.

The c•nsideration of this, that it is God that calleth us, may 1. Comfort us in the assurance of his faithfulnesse,¹ hee calls us that is uncha•geable, 1 Thes. 5.24. 1 Cor. 1.8, 9. 2. It should bind us the stronger to the care of a life answerable to his greatnesse that hath called us.

1Uses.Vses.

:1530p. 121§7

You.]

:1531p. 121§7

1. Not all men: there is a restraint and limitation of the effectual calling: it is absurd to grant a calling out, and yet say it is universal. 2. This you) imports all sorts of men, though not every one of every sort, yet without exception of outward condition• Jews and Gentiles, Rom. 9. 24, 25. bond and free, 1 Cor. 7.

1. Not all men: there is a restraint and limitation of the effectuall calling: it is absurd to grant a calling out, and yet say it is universall. 2. This you) imports all sorts of men, though not every one of every sort, yet without exception of outward condition• Jewes and Gentiles, Rom. 9. 24, 25. bond and free, 1 Cor. 7.

:1532p. 121–122§7

Hath.] Our vocation is past, it is no more to be renewed; we are justified, ⟨p. 122⟩and sanctified daily, but not called: we can be but once borne in nature, nor can we be any more called, or regenerate in grace.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36